OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Signs of the ice fishing season are appearing across Lake Winnebago.
In Oshkosh, The Otter Street Fishing Club installed its vehicle bridges Friday morning.
“72-feet long is the bridge. We’ll probably have two of them out for sure. We have two cracks. We might have to put three out, but there’s a bridge out by Quinney. Both sides of the lake right now have cracks,” said Don Herman, Otter Street Fishing Club Vice President.
Herman tells FOX 11 dangerous cracks typically form along the Winnebago shorelines each year. He says ice has been slow to form, and the season is a few weeks behind.
How much ice is there?
“We have about 13-15 inches. So next week we’ll probably gain another four or five. So, hopefully by the end of next week, we’ll have 20 inches of ice out there.”
Herman says installing the bridges ties in with the 60th Annual Otter Street Fishing Club Fisheree. Volunteers were busy setting up for the Friday and Saturday event.
“This year, we’re going to have a pond hockey tournament again. We have 16 teams signed up. We’re going to have the four-wheeler races and dirt bike races again,” said Drew Clark, Otter Street Fishing Club Board Member.
Clark tells FOX 11 the weather may have an impact.
“The cold’s definitely going to put a damper on things this year. It’s going to be cold skating, but other than that, it’s not too bad. Just dress a little warmer.”
Back on the ice, crews put the finishing touches on the bridges. Herman says the next step is making a road across the lake to the east side.
“Quinney has their bridges out already. Brothertown has their bridges out. It’s just tough to plow right now with all the wind. You go plow a road and by the time you come back, it’s blown shut again. We’re glad we got this cold weather the next two to three weeks. It’s going to really be good for sturgeon spearing also.”
Herman says conditions on the frozen lakes can change, and cautions no ice is never considered to be 100 percent safe.
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